With an eye firmly affixed to a sustainable future, Roquette is on track to open the world’s largest pea protein plant in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada just outside of the City of Winnipeg by the end of 2020.
- Positioning itself close to growers and customers.
- Ensuring ingredients are provided on spec and on time.
- Making innovation and market growth in plant-based alternatives easier for food, nutrition and health.
This exceptional project started just 2 years ago and has mobilised several hundred people on site, from Roquette teams to contractors to local partner companies. The project has been a challenge and a great human story that enabled this great project to become a reality, despite delivering the project in the complex context of Covid-19.
The construction of this new plant, the largest pea protein facility in the world to date, aims to better meet the growing demand for pea protein around the world.
The project is part of a large global investment programme, of more than half a billion euros over a 5-year period by Roquette, to ensure that the supply of plant protein is secure, safe and sustainable and to position the company as a key player in the current global food revolution.
When the site is in operation at the end of the year, it will be the start of a new era for plant proteins in Manitoba, and for food innovators around the world.
How has the construction of the largest pea protein production site in the world been able to keep on track despite the complex context of COVID?
At group level, the health and safety of its employees and the people working on the project remain a top priority.
- Roquette has taken all necessary preventive measures, in accordance with company procedures and recommendations from the authorities, to protect them.
- These protection measures include restrictions in the access to its sites, temperature controls, mandatory mask use, hygiene and social distance practices.
- As this situation is rapidly changing, Roquette is following the evolution constantly and carefully to upgrade its guidelines and measures.
The Portage Pea Protein plant project has taken an aggressive and proactive approach to the prevention of COVID on site and in the community.
- At the start of the COVID pandemic, the project was one of the first industrial sites in Manitoba to adopt specific measures to protect people on site and prevent a potential spread of the virus (such as daily thermal monitoring and masks wearing).
- As the pandemic has evolved, it has continued to take action against COVID by adopting the most current tactics and tools at its disposal.
COVID impact on the project
- EQUIPMENT: Delays in the delivery of critical equipment due to supply chain interruption in Eastern Canada. Roquette remedied these delays through collaboration with contractors and vendors.
- EXPERTISE: Travel restrictions have also posed a challenge in bringing experts from Europe and the US to train new workers. Roquette has adapted and transitioned training programs to being available virtually through the use of technology such as smart glasses.
By being proactive and prioritising the safety of its employees, contractors and community, Roquette has been able to keep the project on track and will start operations at the end of 2020.
PORTAGE Facility in figures
- The Portage Pea Protein Production site is the largest of its kind in the world, with close to 1,000 people (mainly contractors) helping to achieve this key milestone.
- More than 1.2 million people hours of work to date have been contributed to the construction project
- Currently, the construction site and administrative complex safely welcome about 900 people to work each day.
- The construction site is 271,139 sq.metres (67acres).
- Approximately 60 km (196,850 ft) of piping have been installed.
